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Audrey felt her heart race. The last time she'd been this close to Ben, with no other people around them, had been that morning before the game. If she could go back in time... Even if it's to tell Ben how much she loved him. She…
But the past was behind.
“I'm going to tell you something worse than a lie.” Audrey explained, “Because I'm going to tell you the truth.”
She looked over her shoulder but there was no sign of Mal or Evie. But she couldn't be too sure.
“Something is wrong?” Ben looked over her head “Are you looking for someone?”
Audrey thought of Ben and Auradon. She must do it.
“If it's that important...” Ben searched her eyes “Do you want to go to my office?”
But there would be a place where Mal would look for them. Instinctively, she took Ben's hand and began to guide him down the hall, to the last place Mal would want to go, even if it was a life or death situation. Audrey's dorm.
She walked in and only then did she realize that her hand was locked in Ben’s, her thumb on his ring, as it always had. Audrey still remembered when their hands had been almost the same size. Ben liked to compare their hands and smile excitedly when he saw that he was bigger now.
‘Now I can protect you.’
But now that Audrey was taking a good look, it had always been her hand that wrapped around Ben's.
He closed his grip around her hand and lifted them both to his face. Audrey felt her cheeks heat up as she felt Ben stretch his fingers and look at her with the mischief of the past. She slowly stretched her fingers and admired the difference between them.
“This is the first time you've let me into your dorm,” Ben told her in a confidential whisper.
“It wasn’t the right thing to do.” Audrey withdrew her hand and walked to the window to put distance between them. “I think you should sit down.”
She watched as Ben looked for a place to do it. The first options were Audrey's bed or the stool in front of her vanity. He seemed to consider the option of whether he could sit in that small space and then he noticed one of the armchairs where he took his place and looked at her expectantly.
Like a little puppy.
And she was nervous as if dealing with a lion. Which didn't make sense.
Audrey started walking around the place, shoulders back and chin up. She played with her hands and took a deep breath.
“Audrey...?”
She told him everything. Even the embarrassing parts. Audrey told him about her initial doubts about Mal and her new appearance. Ben frowned but not skeptically. As if for the first time he was realizing the implications of all. But Audrey didn't stop, she told him about her conversation with Mal. About the girl's doubts and the assurance that Audrey had that Ben's love for Mal was not an illusion.
Audrey told him about the spells.
And Ben got up, visibly upset.
By this time Audrey was near the door and Ben walked to the window, across the room, tense. She approached slowly. Audrey knew that very rarely Ben allowed himself to be carried away by his anger but when he did, he quickly regretted it, fearing that his appearance was violent or intimidating. So, by nature, she was already there, resting her hand on his shoulder.
But Ben was sad.
And he looked at her as if the most beautiful rose had died at his simple touch. As if the world was ending and it was his fault.
“I put her under too much pressure.” Ben looked away “I caught her in all this… I did the same to her as I did to you.”
“Ben, no.” Audrey took his arm “That's not how things work.”
He looked at her skeptically and rested his hand on hers.
“I owe you an apology… For everything. Absolutely everything. Not just the inappropriate way we ended our relationship... but for everything.” Ben held onto her hand “I know how your grandmother is like... and-”
“Enough! This is not your fault.” Audrey had released him and instead grabbed his shoulders “Not all is your fault, remember? The actions of others are not your responsibility. The decisions that others, including me, make, ou cannot control.”
“But…”
It hurt like a thousand needles piercing her heart. But Audrey hugged Ben tightly, just like old times. He didn't move, surprised by her actions. She was too. But it was as natural as breathing or finding the perfect outfit. When Ben needed her, Audrey would be there. It was natural.
“Let's fix this, okay?” She promised in a small whisper “You are not alone.”
Maybe they should look for Chad. Oh, they were chaos. What kind of childhood best friends destroyed their lives like this? They were pathetic.
“Why are you doing this, Audrey?” He searched her eyes. “You would have every reason in the world to just do nothing and let… everything advance. I hurt you. Mal and I hurt you.”
“I can't do that to Auradon. You are our king.” She raised her index finger to stop any thoughts in Ben's head and continued, “But more importantly… Regardless of any spell or new love, we are friends. You are still my friend. And yes, you owe me hundreds of apologies.” Audrey forced a smile on her lips “So I'm expecting an apology cake and lots of flowers.”
Ben laughed and his body finally relaxed.
“You also want me to take you to a musical, right?”
This time the smile on Audrey's lips was genuine.
“You know it. This is the whole ‘Sorry Audrey, I was a dummy’ package. I don't want less.” She sighed deeply recovering her posture ”Thanks for believing me, Ben.”
Because deep down she had feared that Ben's love for Mal was greater than their friendship and everything they had lived through.
“You have always helped me, Audrey. You said it, we are friends.” Ben took her hand “Thanks for being here. And I think we should look for Chad.”
“Exactly what I was thinking. Together nothing is impossible. And Ben?” Audrey forced her pain a little lower so it wasn't reflected in her gaze. “Whatever you decide... You have my support.”
“Thanks.”
Things were going to be fine.